Dan tsuba Posted July 10, 2022 Report Posted July 10, 2022 Hello all! Here is an interesting tsuba that I saw. I have not seen anything like this previously. A “bell” shaped tsuba with a “hole” at the top of the bell and a “mask” at the bottom right. Was it used as a necklace after it was no longer used on a blade? It looks quite old and appears to have been mounted. It also appears to be a cast tsuba (or cast and hand worked?). Only the omote has a design and the ura is “hollow” with no design. A “strange” looking tsuba. Raises questions like “who would use it”, “was it fitted just for display only (or intended for use)”, “how old is it”, “why only a motif on one side”, “is it a Namban type”, “are there any others out there”, and other questions. Just an interesting piece (to me). Thought I would post it for opinions and thoughts. With respect, Dan 1 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted July 10, 2022 Report Posted July 10, 2022 Temple bell are fairly common, one on auction now https://www.jauce.com/auction/k1019346842 no hole at the top and ura is just a plainer design of the omote. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/iron-tsuba-in-bell-form-depicting-kiyohime-wrappi-293-c-e068d26af7 No details of the ura but it does have a hole at the top. https://br.pinterest.com/pin/650910952377735943/ also no ura view but it appears wan-gata [cupped shape ] http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10401 Numerous rimmed designs as well. one here with bell and mask https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14758/lot/205/ The guard itself is not bell shaped obviously. 3 Quote
Spartancrest Posted July 20, 2022 Report Posted July 20, 2022 A 'bell' just listed - strange off-centre. https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1058081022 Quote
Toryu2020 Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 Why? because straight is boring? 1 1 Quote
Bob M. Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 Maybe a sounding bell , having just been struck. 1 1 Quote
Dan tsuba Posted July 21, 2022 Author Report Posted July 21, 2022 Hello all! Wow Bob, great “outside of the box” thinking. I couldn’t see that “sounding bell” before. And now, since your post, I can’t unsee it! Well done! Again, just my opinion. With respect, Dan 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 A friend showed me one of these bells in a circle Tsuba and pointed out the number of knobbles on the outside of the bell, with a photo copy of its provenance. The price was around US $10,000+ as I recall. 2 Quote
Spartancrest Posted July 22, 2022 Report Posted July 22, 2022 Some more 'bells' without rims from the V&A - a curiously information lacking museum. And the earlier post - is there a hidden face on the lower right of the bell? Or do I have an over active imagination? 2 Quote
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